Belgians on lockdown tweet kitten photos: see our 9 picks of the litter

Belgium’s capital Brussels remained at its highest terror alert for the third straight day as police conducted dozens of anti-terror raids, netting 21 people by Monday morning.

Police advised Brussels residents to stay in their homes, and a city alarmed reacted with humor. When authorities asked the residents not to tweet details about the #BrusselsLockdown in case it would tip off the enemy, people began tweeting cat photos instead.

Belgian authorities expressed their appreciation. “The federal prosecutor and the police services must thank the press and social media users for taking into account the needs of the ongoing operation,” said Eric Van Der Sypt, spokesman for the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office, at a press briefing.